The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks Brake Line Specs

Another question from a newbie... I want to change out my old brake lines. I'm looking at a roll of copper-nickle alloy. Can someone tell me what the original brake line OD should be and what the brake line nuts should be?

Thanks again!

Glen

use steel lines. copper is a no-no
ron

I agree copper is a no-no. But copper-nickel seems to be quickly replacing steel. (equal strength, easier to work with and doesn't rust). It is often marketed under Cunifer. It is DOT approved.

Inline Tube will have what you need.

You can buy NiCopp by American Grease Stick (AGS) online here:

Advance Auto Parts

This is the best price I've found and I believe this is made in USA.

I've used a couple of rolls of 1/4" on my '54 2-ton project and have more ready to use on a '56 GMC 1-ton.

It's easy to flare and easier to bend and install than steel.

Thanks guys!

So I can assume that the lines are indeed 1/4".

Glen

Size of the brake lines depend on the year, Series, Make, Model and wheel cylinders of your truck. Most common brake line sizes are 1/8", 3/16" & 1/4", along with the corresponding double-flare nuts, which are matched to the wheel cylinder female brake line opening sizes.

What year/model truck are you working on?

Almost everything before about 1960 was 1/4" lines. After that you start to see some 3/16" appear and with the advent of disk brakes, lots of 3/16" was used with special sized nuts on the master cylinder.

It's a 1962 C10.

@OlBlue, That's a real good tip on the copper/nickle line at Advance Auto Parts! Thanks!

Hey guys:

I let this thread go (apparently for longer than I thought!) as I had other things to deal with. Now I'm back to worrying about my lines. It looks like the line coming out of the master (dual master, ' cause I have a hydraulic clutch) is 1/4" but I can see the rear line along the axle housing looks like 3/16". The manual mentions 1/4", 3/8" and 5/16". Anyone know which line is supposed to be what diameter on a '62 C10?

Thanks!

Glen,

Noticed this topic languishing, so I will take a stab at trying to answer your question. To qualify my answer, I do not and have not owned a truck of your particular model.

I have found that brake line diameters are much like the water supply lines in a house. The trunk lines (primary)are often larger in diameter than the wheel cylinder lines (secondary).

Do the lines on the truck appear to be original? If so, just match the diameters. The female inverted flare ID on the wheel cylinders will often limit your possibility of line diameters that could physically fit.

Good luck.

Thanks for this Paul. You confirmed what I think I'm going to have to do. Unfortunately, I'm not convinced the lines are original, but they do work, so I guess if I replace the same diameter I'm seeing, it should work.

Thanks again!

Glen

Call inline tube and ask the tech what the dimensions are. They are very typical.
The lines from the rear axle junction block to the rear cylinders are of smaller diameter then all of the other lines. Last cylinders in the loop. Not real sure wx it is 1/4 for the rears and 5/16 for all others.

Will do. Thanks Hambone!

So just FYI for anyone reading this...

From the Master (including right and left front) to the rear rubber hose connection is 1/4 " and from there at the hose connection to right and left slaves is 3/16".

Thanks for the feedback. I will update my recall.